{{Short description|American football player (1913–1998)}} {{distinguish|Frank Steane}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Frank Steen | position = End | number = 36 | birth_date = {{birth date|1913|10|5}} | birth_place = Longview, Texas, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|1998|04|02|1913|10|5}} | death_place = Houston, Texas, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 1 | weight_lbs = 190 | high_school = Forest Avenue (TX) | college = Rice (1933–1937) | undraftedyear = 1938 | pastteams = * Green Bay Packers (1939) | highlights = * NFL champion (1939) | statlabel1 = Games played | statvalue1 = 3 | pfr = SteeFr20 }}
'''Frank William Steen''' (October 5, 1913 – April 2, 1998) was an American professional football end. He played college football for the Rice Owls. Although not selected in the National Football League draft, he signed with the Green Bay Packers for the 1939 season and played three games as they won the NFL championship.
==Early life== Frank William Steen was born on October 5, 1913, in Longview, Texas.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SteeFr20.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Frank Steen Stats|access-date=2018-03-29|archive-date=2016-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010235023/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SteeFr20.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He attended Forest Avenue High School (now known as James Madison High School) in Dallas, Texas, and is one of only five of their alumni to ever make it to the NFL, and the only one from when they were named Forest Avenue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93c03f0e|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Forest Avenue (Dallas, TX) Alumni Pro Stats|access-date=2023-08-22|archive-date=2023-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822000522/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93c03f0e|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93baeb51|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=James Madison (Dallas, TX) Alumni Pro Stats|access-date=2023-08-22|archive-date=2023-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208210516/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93baeb51|url-status=live}}</ref> He was an all-state choice as a senior, with the ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram'' noting that his selection was "almost unanimous."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/130425695/|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 24, 1933|page=11|title=Owl Slimes Long On Ends, Halfbacks|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822205804/https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/130425695/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> After graduating from high school, Steen began attending Rice University in 1933.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/stee01600.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Frank Steen Stats|access-date=2023-08-22|archive-date=2023-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822205804/https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/stee01600.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==College career== Steen was a three-sport athlete at Rice, playing basketball as a forward, football as an end, and baseball as a third baseman.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/130425509/|newspaper=Austin American-Statesman|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 29, 1938|page=13|title=Vocal Revenge|author=Hart, Weldon|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822205815/https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/130425509/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite book|url=https://scholarship.rice.edu/handle/1911/105977|access-date=August 22, 2023|title=The Campanile|publisher=Rice University|date=1937|pages=215, 221, 231|hdl=1911/105977 }}</ref> He began seeing significant playing time in football as a sophomore in 1934, lettering while earning first-team all-conference honors from the ''Austin American-Statesman'' and helping Rice win the conference championship.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/rice/1934-schedule.html|website=Sports-Reference.com|title=1934 Rice Owls Schedule and Results|access-date=2023-08-22|archive-date=2023-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822001943/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/rice/1934-schedule.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/130426493/|newspaper=Austin American-Statesman|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 3, 1934|page=6|title=Statesman's All-Conference Squad Includes Five Steers On Two Teams|author=Hart, Weldon|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822205837/https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/130426493/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> The ''American-Statesman'' described him as an end "of the spectacular, slashing type who love[s] to wade full tilt into the opposing backfield. [His] reckless, colorful tactics please the crowd [and] annoy enemies no end."<ref name="auto3"/>
However, late in 1934 Steen was placed on probation due to poor grades in the classroom and in December he was suspended until fall of 1935.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/130426770/|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 30, 1934|page=10|title=Frank Steen Lost To Rice Grid Team|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> He was not able to play in the 1935 season due to this.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/130426576/|newspaper=Austin American-Statesman|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 31, 1934|page=6|title=Sports Situation|author=Hart, Weldon|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822211614/https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/130426576/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> The ''Waco News-Tribune'' noted that he was "one of the most promising ends in the United States" and said that his loss was a "tough blow" for the 1935 Rice team, mentioning that "[h]e cannot be replaced without a loss of strength."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-waco-news-tribune/130427010/|newspaper=The Waco News-Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 9, 1935|page=9|title=Jinx's Hot Shots|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822211525/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-waco-news-tribune/130427010/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref>
Steen was able to return to the Rice football team in 1936 and was described by his coach at the start of the season as a "clever, smashing end."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/130427262/|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 7, 1936|page=15|agency=Associated Press|title=Steen Expected To Be Eligible For Football|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822211524/https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/130427262/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/130427177/|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 19, 1936|page=3|title=Fort Worth Boy Brings Smiles to Jimmy Kitts|author=M'Knight, Felix|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822211524/https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/130427177/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> He started at end for the team and ''The Campanile'', Rice's yearbook, noted that he was one of "the outstanding ends in the conference" and that "his fiery aggressive play was one of the features of the Rice defense."<ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/130427384/|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 17, 1936|page=19|title=Some Big Old Birds On Owl Team|author=Hall, Flem|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822211524/https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/130427384/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref>
As a senior in 1937, Steen helped Rice compile an overall record of 6–3–2, win the conference championship, and earn a trip to the Cotton Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/rice/1937-schedule.html|website=Sports-Reference.com|title=1937 Rice Owls Schedule and Results|access-date=2023-08-22|archive-date=2023-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822045938/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/rice/1937-schedule.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the team's rivalry game against Texas, he caught a pass to score the game-winning touchdown which was met with much controversy.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Rice supporters argued that the ball had not touched the ground, while Texas supporters believed that it did; the referees ruled the play in Rice's favor, but were met with protest from Texas fans.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/130430506/|newspaper=Austin American-Statesman|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 21, 1939|page=2|title=Frank Steen Goes to Green Bay Packers, and That Brings Up That Famous Play in '37 Game|author=Hart, Weldon|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822211532/https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/130430506/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Texas Students to Hold Protest Pep Rally|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/130430558/|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 25, 1937|page=15|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822212612/https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/130430558/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> At the end of the season, he was chosen second-team all-conference by the ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/130430607/|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 5, 1937|page=16|title=T.C.U., Baylor Take Six Berths on 'All-Conference'|author=Hall, Flem|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822212604/https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/130430607/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> Steen graduated in 1938.<ref name="auto"/>
==Professional career== Steen was not selected in the 1938 NFL draft.<ref name="auto"/> He played no football that year and worked for an oil company; in the summer of 1939, he played for the Daytona Beach minor league baseball team as an outfielder.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/130431452/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 12, 1939|page=11|title=Steen Candidate For End Spot on Green Bay Squad|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822212605/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/130431452/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> He was signed by the Green Bay Packers in January 1939, and measured at the time 6 ft 2 in and 200 pounds.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald/130430797/|newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 28, 1939|page=10|title=Sign Frank Steen|agency=Associated Press|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822212538/https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald/130430797/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> He reportedly performed "sensational" in the team's preseason game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, catching several long passes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/130431202/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 26, 1939|page=9, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/130431353/ 10]|author=Torinus, John|title=9,416 Fans See Packers Humble Pirate Gridders|access-date=August 22, 2023|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822212551/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/130431202/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> He made the final roster and appeared in three games, one as a starter, before being released at the start of October.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/130431682/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 4, 1939|page=17|title=Green Bay Packers Give Twedell, Steen the Gate|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> The Packers went on to win the NFL championship that season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1939.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=1939 Green Bay Packers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees|access-date=2023-08-22|archive-date=2023-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411193321/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1939.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He did not play for any other professional team afterwards.<ref name="auto"/>
==Later life and death== Steen enlisted in the United States Armed Forces to serve in World War II the year after his stint with the Packers.<ref>Ancestry.com. [https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/19407341:2238 U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947]{{subscription required}}. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.</ref> He died on April 2, 1998, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 84.<ref name="auto"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{1939 Green Bay Packers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Steen, Frank}} Category:Players of American football from Longview, Texas Category:Green Bay Packers players Category:Rice Owls football players Category:1913 births Category:1998 deaths Category:20th-century American sportsmen